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vols. 8vo. Miscellaneous Works, by Rev. T. Morell, Lond., 1839, imp. 8vo. Letters, Shrewsb., 1790, 8vo. Memoirs, by Job Orton, Salop, 1766, 8vo. Life and Correspondence, Lond., 1831, 5 vols. 8vo. His Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, Lond., 1750, 12mo, has been frequently republished.

people."-DR. ADAM CLARKE.

"And let me tell you, a man who comments on the Bible affords all the opportunity a caviller could wish for. But your judgment is always so profitable a reader to you as the least of your true, and your decision so right, that I am as un

flock."-BISHOP WARBURTON TO DR. DODDRIDGE, Cambridge, April 4, 1739.

DEVOTIONAL FEELINGS.

heaven, saying, "This is my beloved son;" of innumerable miracles performed by him, and by his disciples in his name; of his knowing the thoughts of men; of his foretelling future events; of prodigies accompanying his crucifixion and death; of an angel descending in terrors, opening his sepulchre, and frightening away the soldiers "The Family Expositor is a very judicious who were set to guard it; of his rising from work. It has long been highly esteemed, and is the dead, ascending into heaven, and pour-worthy of all the credit it has among religious ing down, according to his promise, the various and miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit upon his apostles and disciples. All these amazing incidents do these inspired historians relate nakedly and plainly without any of the colourings and heightenings of rhetoric, or so much as a single note of admiration; without making any comment or remark upon them, or drawing from them any conclusion in honour either of their master or themselves, or to the advantage of the religion they preached in his name; but contenting themselves with relating the naked truth, whether it seems to make for them or against them: without either magnifying on the one hand, or palliating on the other, they leave their cause to the unbiassed judgment of mankind, seeking, like genuine apostles of the Lord of truth, to convince rather than to persuade; and therefore coming, as St. Paul speaks of his preaching, "not with excellency of speech,-not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but with demonstration of the Spirit, and of power, that," adds he, "your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." And let it be remembered that he who speaks this wanted not learning, art, or eloquence, as is evident from his speeches recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and from the testimony of that great critic Longinus, who, in reckoning up the Grecian orators, places among them Paul of Tarsus.

I hope, my dear, you will not be offended when I tell you that I am, what I hardly thought it possible, without a miracle, that I should have been, very easy and happy without you. My days begin, pass, and end in pleasure, and seem short because they are so delightful. It may seem strange to say it, but really so it is, I hardly feel that I want anything. I often think of you, and pray for you, and bless God on your account, and please myself with the hope of many comfortable days, and weeks, and years with you; yet I am not at all anxious about your return, or indeed about anything else. And the reason, the great and sufficient reason, is that I have more of the presence of God with me than I remember ever to have enjoyed in any one month of my life. He enables me to live for him, and to live with him. When I awake in the morning, which is always before it is light, I address myself to him, and converse with him, speak to him while I am lighting my candle and putting on my clothes, and have often more delight before I come out of my chamber, though it be hardly a quarter of an hour after my awaking, than I have enjoyed for whole days, or, perhaps, weeks, of my life. He meets me in my study, in secret, in family devotions. It is pleasant to read, pleasant to compose, pleasant to converse with my friends at home; pleasant to visit those abroad-the poor, the sick; pleasant to write letters of necessary business by which any good can be done; pleasant to go out and preach the gospel to poor souls, of which some are thirsting for it, and others dying without it; pleasant in the week-day to think how near another Sabbath is; but,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE, D.D., born 1702, died 1751, published a number of theological treatises, sermons, &c., but is best known by his Family Expositor; or, A Paraphrase and Version of the New Testament, with Critical Notes and Practical Improvements, Lond., 1760-62, 6 vols. 4to; with his Life by Dr. Kippis, Lond., 1808, 4 vols. 4to, or 6 vols. 8vo; new edition, Lond., 1839, imperial fol., also 1840, 4 vols. 8vo; other editions. Whole Works, by D. Williams and the Rev. E. Parsons, Leeds, 1802, 10 vols. 8vo and royal 8vo. A Course of Lectures on the Principal Subjects in Pneu-oh! much more, much more pleasant, to matology, Ethics, and Divinity, published by Rev. Samuel Clarke, Lond., 1763, 4to; 3d edit., by A. Kippis, D.D., Lond., 1794, 2

think how near eternity is, and how short the journey through this wilderness, and | that it is but a step from earth to heaven.

ROBERT DODSLEY.-SOAME JENYNS.

I cannot forbear, in these circumstances, pausing a little, and considering whence this happy scene just at this time arises, and whither it tends. Whether God is about to bring about me any peculiar trial, for which this is to prepare me; whether he is shortly about to remove me from the earth, and so is giving me more sensible prelibations of heaven, to prepare me for it; or whether he intends to do some peculiar services by me just at this time, which many other circumstances lead me sometimes to hope; or whether it be that, in answer to your prayers, and in compassion to that distress which I must otherwise have felt in the absence and illness of her who has been so exceedingly dear to me, and was never more sensibly dear to me than now, he is pleased to favour me with this teaching experience; in consequence of which, I freely own I am less afraid than ever of any event that can possibly arise, consistent with his nearness to my heart, and the tokens of his paternal and covenant love. I will muse no further on the cause. It is enough the effect is so blessed.

To Mrs. Doddridge, from Northampton,
October, 1742.

ROBERT DODSLEY,

171

shall hear of his own with bitterness of heart.

Of much speaking cometh repentance, but in silence is safety.

A talkative man is a nuisance to society; the ear is sick of his babbling, the torrent of his words overwhelmeth conversation.

Boast not of thyself, for it shall bring contempt upon thee; neither deride another, for it is dangerous.

A bitter jest is the poison of friendship; and he that cannot restrain his tongue shall have trouble.

Furnish thyself with the proper accommodations belonging to thy condition; yet spend not to the utmost of what thou canst afford, that the providence of thy youth may be a comfort to thy old age.

Let thine own business engage thy atten tion: leave the care of the state to the gov ernors thereof.

Let not thy recreations be expensive, lest the pain of purchasing them exceed the pleasure thou hast in their enjoyment.

Neither let prosperity put out the eyes of circumspection, nor abundance cut off the hands of frugality: he that too much indulgeth in the superfluities of life shall live to lament the want of its necessaries.

From the experience of others do thou learn wisdom; and from their failings cor rect thine own faults.

charitable.

But when thou hast proved a man to be honest, lock him up in thine heart as a treasure; regard him as a jewel of inestimable value.

Refuse the favours of a mercenary man; they will be a snare unto thee: thou shalt never be quit of the obligations.

born 1703, died 1764, after serving as ap-yet mistrust not without reason: it is unTrust no man before thou hast tried him; prentice to a tradesman, and subsequently acting as a footman, became author and bookseller by profession. He published A Muse in Livery, or The Footman's Miscellany, Lond., 1732, small 8vo; A Select Collection of Old Plays, Lond., 1744, 12 vols. 12mo; Miscellanies, Lond., 1745, 2 vols. 8vo; The Preceptor, Lond., 1748, 2 vols. 8vo; The Economy of Human Life, Lond., 1751, 8vo; Fugitive Pieces, Lond., 1764, 2 vols. small 8vo; was the author of The Toy Shop, The King and the Miller of Mansfield, and The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green (these three are plays), and other productions, and published The Annual Register, Lond., 1758, etc., suggested by Edmund Burke.

PRUDENCE.

Hear the words of Prudence, give heed unto her counsels, and store them in thy heart: her maxims are universal and all the virtues lean upon her: she is the guide and mistress of human life.

Put a bridle on thy tongue; set a guard before thy lips, lest the words of thine own mouth destroy thy peace.

Let him that scoffeth at the lame take care that he halt not himself: whosoever speaketh of another's failings with pleasure,

neither leave that to hazard what foresight
Use not to-day what to-morrow may want:
may provide for, or care prevent.

wise man always successful; yet never had
The fool is not always unfortunate, nor the
wise man wholly unhappy.
a fool a thorough enjoyment; never was a

Economy of Human Life, Part I.

SOAME JENYNS,

born 1704, died 1787, noted as a politician, essayist, infidel, and subsequently as a champion of Christianity, was author of A Free Enquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil, Lond., 1757. 12mo (ridiculed by Dr. Johnson in The Literary Magazine), with his Poems, 1761, 2 vols. 12mo; View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion, Lond.,

1776, 12mo; Bohn, 1850, 8vo, and other productions, for which see The Works of Soame Jenyns, Esq., etc., with Life by C. N. Cole, Lond., 1790, 4 vols. 8vo.

"His Poetry does not rise above mediocrity: indeed, it scarcely deserves the name: but the style of his prose is smooth and lucid, his turns of thought are neat and unexpected; and when he sports in irony, in which he apparently delights to indulge, he is uncommonly playful and airy. Jenyns has evidently a predilection for parodoxical opinions: and why, he might reasonably urge in his defence, should a man address the Public, who has nothing new to offer to it?"-GREEN: Diary of a Lover of Lit.

CRUELTY TO INFERIOR ANIMALS. We see children laughing at the miseries which they inflict on every unfortunate animal that comes within their power, all savages are ingenious in contriving and happy in executing the most exquisite tortures; and the common people of all countries are delighted with nothing so much as bull-baiting, prize-fightings, executions, and all spectacles of cruelty and horror. Though civilization may in some degree abate this native ferocity, it can never quite extirpate it: the most polished are not ashamed to be pleased with scenes of little less barbarity and, to the disgrace of human nature, to dignify them with the name of sports. They arin cocks with artificial weapons, which nature had kindly denied to their malevolence, and, with shouts of applause and triumph, see them plunge them into each other's hearts: they view with delight the trembling deer and defenceless hare, flying for hours in the utmost agonies of terror and despair, and at last, sinking under fatigue, devoured by their merciless pursuers: they see with joy the beautiful pheasant and harmless partridge drop from their flight, weltering in their blood, or perhaps perishing with wounds and hunger under the cover of some friendly thicket to which they have in vain retreated for safety: they triumph over the unsuspecting fish whom they have decoyed by an insidious pretence of feeding, and drag him from his native element by a hook fixed to and tearing out his entrails: and, to add to all this, they spare neither labour nor expense to preserve and propagate these innocent animals for no other end but to multiply the objects of their persecution.

What name would we bestow on a superior being whose whole endeavours were employed, and whose pleasure consisted, in terrifying, ensnaring, tormenting, and destroying mankind; whose superior faculties were exerted in fomenting animosities among them, in contriving engines of destruction, and inciting them to use them in maiming

and murdering each other? whose power over them was employed in assisting the rapacious, deceiving the simple, and oppressing the innocent? who, without provocation or advantage, should continue from day to day, void of all pity and remorse, thus to torment mankind for diversion, and at the same time endeavour with his utmost care to preserve their lives, and to propagate their species, in order to increase the number of victims devoted to his malevolence, and be delighted in proportion to the miseries he occasioned? I say, what name detestable enough could we find for such a being? Yet, if we impartially consider the case, and our intermediate situation, we must acknowledge that, with regard to inferior animals, such a being is a sportsman.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, LL.D.,

born in Boston, 1706, emigrated to Philadelphia, 1723; worked as a printer in London, 1724 to 1726, when he returned to Philadelphia; Clerk of the Provincial Assembly, 1736; Deputy Postmaster at Philadelphia, 1737, and Postmaster-General for British America, 1753; Agent for Pennsylvania in England, 1757 to 1762, and again for several of the colonies, 1764 to 1775; Minister Plenipotentiary to France, 1776 to 1785, when he returned to Philadelphia; President of Pennsylvania, 1785 to 1788, and in 1787 was a member of the Federal Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States; died in Philadelphia, 1790. For a detailed account of his services to politics, science, and philosophy, see his Autobiography prefixed to his Works, new edition, by Jared Sparks, Phila., 1858, 10 vols. 8vo, and especially Bigelow's edition of Franklin's Autobiography, 1868, 8vo, his Life of Franklin as told by Himself, 3 vols. 8vo, and James Parton's

Life and Times of Franklin, new edit., Bost., 1867, 2 vols. 12mo.

"Science appears in his language in a dress wonderfully decorous, best adapted to display her native loveliness. He has in no instance exhibited that false dignity by which philosophy is kept aloof from common applications; and he has sought rather to make her an useful inmate and servant in the common habitations of man, than to preserve her merely as an object of admiration in temples and palaces."-SIR HUMPHRY DAVY.

His style has all the vigour and even conciseness of Swift, without any of his harshness. It is in no degree more flowery, yet both elegant and lively. The wit, or rather humour, which prevails in his works, varies with the subject. Sometimes he is bitter and sarcastic; often gay and even droll: reminding us in this respect far more frequently of Addison than of Swift, as might naturally be expected from his admirable temper, or

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

the happy turn of his investigation."-LORD JEFFREY: Edin. Rev.: see viii. 327-344, xxviii. 275– 302.

GOOD WORKS.

For my own part, when I am employed in serving others I do not look upon myself as conferring favours, but as paying debts.

173

Orthodox priest and sanctified Levite; and those who gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, raiment to the naked, entertainment to the stranger, and relief to the sick, though they never heard of his name, he declares shall in the last day be accepted; when those who cry Lord! Lord! who value In my travels, and since my settlement, I themselves upon their faith, though great have received much kindness from men to enough to perform miracles, but have negwhom I shall never have an opportunity of lected good works, shall be rejected. He making the least direct return; and number-professed that he came not to call the rightless mercies from God, who is infinitely above eous, but sinners to repentance, which imbeing benefited by our services. Those kind-plied his modest opinion that there were nesses from men I can therefore only return on their fellow-men; and I can only shew my gratitude for these mercies from God by a readiness to help his other children, and my brethren. For I do not think that thanks and compliments, though repeated weekly, can discharge our real obligations to each other, and much less those to our Creator. You will see in this my notion of good works: that I am far from expecting to merit heaven by them. By heaven we understand a state of happiness, infinite in degree and eternal in duration: I can do nothing to deserve such rewards. He that for giving a draught of water to a thirsty person should expect to be paid with a good plantation would be modest in his demands compared with those who think they deserve heaven for the little good they do on earth. Even the mixed, imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this world are rather from God's goodness than our merit: how much more such happiness of heaven!

some in his time who thought themselves so
good that they need not hear even him for
improvement: but now-a-days we have scarce
a little parson that does not think it the duty
of every man within his reach to sit under
his petty ministrations, and that whoever
omits them offends God. I wish to such
more humility, and to you health and hap
piness, being your friend and servant.
To Rev. George Whitefield: Philadelphia,
June 6, 1753.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

DEAR JACK,-You desire, you say, my impartial thoughts on the subject of an early marriage, by way of answer to the numberless objections that have been made by numerous persons to your own. You may remember, when you consulted me on the occasion, that I thought youth on both sides to be no objection. Indeed, from the marriages that have fallen under my observation, I am rather inclined to think that early ones stand the best chance of happiness. The temper and habits of the young are not yet become so stiff and uncomply

The faith you mention has certainly its use in the world: I do not desire to see it diminished, nor would I endeavour to lessen it in any man. But I wish it were more productive of good works than I have generallying as when more advanced in life: they seen it: I mean real good works: works of kindness, charity, mercy, and public spirit; not holiday-keeping, sermon - reading, or hearing; performing church ceremonies, or making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments, despised even by wise men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity. The worship of God is a duty; the hearing and reading of sermons are useful; but if men rest in hearing and praying, as too many do, it is as if a tree should value itself on being watered and putting forth leaves, though it never produced any fruit.

Your great Master thought much less of these outward appearances and professions than many of his modern disciples. He preferred the doers of the word to the mere hearers; the son that seemingly refused to obey his father and yet performed his commands, to him that professed his readiness, but neglected the work; the heretical but charitable Samaritan to the uncharitable though

form more easily to each other, and hence
many occasions of disgust are removed.
And if youth has less of that prudence which
is necessary to manage a family, yet the par-
ents and elder friends of young married per-
sons are generally at hand to afford their
advice, which amply supplies that defect;
and by early marriage youth is sooner
formed to regular and useful life; and pos
sibly some of those accidents or connexions
that might have injured the constitution, or
reputation, or both, are thereby happily pre-
vented. Particular circumstances of par-
ticular persons may possibly sometimes make
it prudent to delay entering into that state;
but in general, when nature has rendered
our bodies fit for it, the presumption is in
nature's favour, that she has not judged
amiss in making us desire it.
Late mar-
riages are often attended, too, with this far-
ther inconvenience, that there is not the
same chance that the parents shall live to

however, from the time of his arrival at Paris; and his zeal for the honour of our country, his activity in our affairs here, and his firm attachment to our cause, and to you, impressed me with the same regard and esteem for him that your excellency's letter would have done had it been immediately delivered to me.

see their offspring educated. "Late children," says the Spanish proverb, "are early orphans,' -a melancholy reflection to those whose case it may be. With us, in America, marriages are generally in the morning of life; our children are therefore educated and settled in the world by noon; and thus, our business being done, we have an afternoon and evening of cheerful leisure to ourselves; such as our friend at present enjoys. By these early marriages we are blessed with more children; and from the mode among us, founded by nature, of every mother suckling and nursing her own child, more of them are raised. Thence the swift progress of population among us, unparalleled in Europe. In fine, I am glad you are married, and congratulate you most cordially upon it. You are now in the way of becoming a useful citizen; and you have escaped the unnatural state of celibacy for life,-the fate of many here [in England], who never intended it, but who, having too long postponed the change of their condition, find, at length, that it is too late to think of it, and so live, all their lives, in a situation that greatly les-present I enjoy that pleasure for you: as sens a man's value. An odd volume of a set of books bears not the value of its proportion to the set: what think you of the value of the odd half of a pair of scissors? It can't well cut any thing; it may possibly serve to scrape a trencher.

Pray make my compliments and best wishes acceptable to your bride. I am old and heavy, or I should, ere this, have presented them in person. I shall make but small use of the old man's privilege, that of giving advice to younger friends. Treat your wife always with respect: it will procure respect to you, not only from her, but from all that observe it.

:

Never use a slighting expression to her, even in jest for slights in jest, after frequent bandyings, are apt to end in angry earnest. Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. At least you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences. I pray God to bless you both; being ever your affectionate friend.

To John Alleyne, Esq., Craven Street, August 9, 1768.

THE FAME OF WASHINGTON.

SIR, I have received but lately the letter your excellency did me the honour of writing to me in recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His modesty detained it long in his own hands. We became acquainted,

Should peace arrive after another campaign or two, and afford us a little leisure, I should be happy to see your excellency in Europe, and to accompany you, if my age and strength would permit, in visiting some of its ancient and most famous kingdoms. You would on this side the sea enjoy the great reputation you have acquired, pure and free from those little shades that the jealousy and envy of a man's countrymen and contemporaries are ever endeavouring to cast over living merit. Here you would know, and enjoy, what posterity will say of Washington: for a thousand leagues have nearly the same effect as a thousand years. The feeble voice of those grovelling passions cannot extend so far either in time or distance. At

I frequently hear the old generals of this martial country (who studied the maps of America, and mark upon them all your operations) speak with sincere approbation and great applause of your conduct; and join in giving you the character of one of the greatest captains of the age.

I must soon quit the scene, but you may live to see our country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the war is over: like a field of young Indian corn, which long fair weather and sunshine had enfeebled and discoloured, and which, in that weak state, by a thunder-gust of violent wind, hail, and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet, the storm being past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigour, and delights the eye not of its owner only, but of every observing traveller.

The best wishes that can be formed for your health, honour, and happiness ever attend you, from yours, &c.

To General Washington: Passy, March 5, 1780.

HENRY FIELDING,

one of the greatest of English novelists, born 1707, died 1754, was a son of Lieutenant-General Fielding and great-grandson of William, third Earl of Denbigh, a descendant of the Counts of Hapsburg, the German branch of which has counted among its members Emperors of Germany and Kings of Spain.

In addition to his novels of The Adven

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